Whimsy post

Hi trusty readers..
Check out the post today on Whimsy Place. We're talkin OMBRE =)

FITNESS competition

It's time for a fitness post, because, well, I have some fitness news. Starting TODAY, I am training to do a figure competition in March! It'll be an amateur one here in Utah, since it's my first, but I'm quite nervous and excited. To be honest, I'm not completely sure figure is the category I want to compete in (and I'll get to why), but it'll be really nice to get into killer shape. I've always wanted to compete and I figure, it's now or never!!
So I've told a few people about my goal, and apparently no one quite knows what these competitions mean so I wanna outline it for you, and within the next coming months, I'll be posting little updates of my progress =)

NO I am not doing a bodybuilding competition!! I do NOT want huge manly muscles, just so we're clear!

There are roughly 4 categories of competing. From the most feminine to the most masculine, in order they are:

Bikini, Figure, Fitness, and Bodybuilding

Want some pictures?

1. Bikini is a newer division (and my trainer actually thinks it's a joke). If you have a toned, fit body without heavy muscular definition, this is for you. 

2. Figure is more athletic, muscular and lean (talkin around 10-12% body fat)

3. Fitness includes a dance routine (so, it's great with gymnastics or cheerleading backgrounds) and they are even more lean and highly muscular.

 We won't even discuss bodybuilding..

So here's my quandry: I naturally have a more muscular body- always have. I did do gymnastics and cheerleading but the routines I've seen these fitness competitors do are like cheerleaders on crack. Little spastic, very WEIRD costumes, and more muscular than I wanna be.

Figure seems to fit my body best, but the posing is quite weird. In fact, I showed my husband and he was super turned off by the "Frankenstein" poses that push your muscles out.

Bikini is the easiest prep, but honestly I probably already have bigger muscles than they're supposed to have. AND it's like model-y and sexy and I'd struggle with that lol.

I don't register til January, so we'll see where these next 2 months (the dreaded holiday months!) get me to.

My training:

For now, I'm working out 5-6 days a week, one of the days with my trainer, Brian. My diet isn't super strict yet, but I do have to keep it in a certain calorie range.

My starting stats:

Well, I'm 5'1.5"

Weight:  around 120

Body Fat: 17%

All of this is going to have to come gradually down quite a bit, but I can DO IT!!

Ultimately it's going to be about appearance, not necessarily body fat and certainly not weight.

I'm debating putting a starting picture up.... maybe next week ;)

photos and info via oxygenmag.com

let's talk cute benches

Found this image on pinterest last week, and I about died. i LOVE THIS LITTLE STOOL!!! So now I'm obsessed and feel like I need one in every room....

The little upholstered benches just tickle my fancy, and they're so versatile! Works in any room...

 Infatuated with the x-benches.

 This whole space is beyond amazing. And polka dots?! Si por favor!

 Luxurious, velvet mossy green. I don't think anything could be more suitable for me

 lucite lovin' of course

 Tucked under a desk?! Genius idea!

kristen panitch

New designer crush alert:

L.A. interior designer  Kristen Panitch totally nails it for me, especially in the kitchen and bath department.

 Look at these bunk beds!!! Amaze balls

you love her too

Blog Land update

I have somewhat of an announcement! I was asked to be part of an awesome new blog, in which I have a weekly post (on Tuesdays.. which is today!)

As it says, Whimsy Place is inspiration for a beautiful life, and hopefully I can successfully contribute my two cents as far as decorating goes =)

Have a looksie here.

another nate special

We have no cable.

Long story short, we're moving and don't want to renew it, so we rely on netflix and hulu these days.

Needless to say, I miss out on fantastic shows like Nate Berkus, so I gotta check up on his website from time to time.

I was super excited about this home tour I found from Dina from Raleigh, NC....

i like the fun bright prints in the bedroom

i have GOT to organize my shoes better

K love the smidge of milk glass collection and I am SERIOUSLY feeling these basket chandeliers

Fun art! and Fun colors!

Makes me think I really need to add shutters to our future exterior..

adorbs nursery! I like the whimsy of the little pom pom garland across the window. And I love any chair with contrasting piping! (Who is watching that baby?!!)

See that corner? Lamp: want, chair: want, table: want, pouf: want

chippendale chair in RED 

cute organization.. again, a weakness on my part

Well i went back to source this, but the Nate website is all jumbled. Just trust me on this one ;)

enlighten me

We're at that stage of building where interior stuff needs to be decided on. SO FUN but SO tricky! Pick a light before you even know how you're decorating the space... it's not the way I prefer, but whatev.

I'm totally drawn to something dramatic for the kitchen main chandy, but not too over-the-top. 

Here's some of my top affordable picks:

And some lovely images that inspire me...I'd take any of these lighting and dining areas please

via abs

Images via pinterest unless otherwise noted